Application
Therapeutic erythrocytopheresis is commonly used to remove red blood cells in patients experiencing sickle cell crisis. The affected erythrocytes are removed while the rest of the blood is retransfused. This blood separation is also used in patients with severe malaria. After removal of the infected cells, the patient can then be transfused with a dose of normal red blood cells.
Erythrocytopheresis can also be used for blood donations. The procedure is commonly done using automated red blood cell collection which involves the removal of two units of red blood cells. This includes either two standard units of red blood cells or one unit plus of red blood cells and another of either plasma or platelets. The advantage to the donor is the use of smaller needles and saline compensation, as well as more convenient donating schedules (the no-donation period following apheresis is twice as long as that for a single unit). The advantage to the blood bankers is the on-line separation into standardized RBC masses with the subsequent reduction in testing, data entry and staffing. This process is commonly referred to as 'Double Reds' or 'Double Red Cell Apheresis.'
Read more about this topic: Erythrocytapheresis
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